The good news is that Common Sense Media has changed their recommendations for toddler Halloween costumes. Yea! I wrote to the editor today and heard back quickly. She agreed that Harry Potter and Star Wars (PG and PG-13) were not good ideas for toddler costumes, and thanked me for pointing out their mistake. She made quick changes to their website. Small victory there.
Huge victory, however, for CCFC (Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood). Today I got an update on the Baby Einstein video situation. CCFC has persuaded Disney to offer a full refund on any Baby Einstein videos purchased in the last five years! Click here for more information from CCFC. Absolutely fantastic.
The sad news is that today I also learned of the passing of Ted Sizer, the founder of the Coalition of Essential Schools and the author of the visionary book on high school reform, Horace’s Compromise. Ted was a champion of authentic assessment and meaningful work, and so much more. Tonight I feel the loss, though I look forward to celebrating his life at the annual Coalition of Essential School’s Fall Forum in New Orleans in just a few weeks.
I will always remember the day Ted came to my kindergarten classroom. We shared lunch at one of the small tables and chatted about ideas big and small. He was a tall guy with visionary ideas, but was completely at home in our kindergarten world. Ted was and always will be an inspiring educator.